Sampson Opok Atuahene, PSAA Class of 2025
Where and with whom did you complete your internship?
Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP) – Accra
What were your primary responsibilities?
As a Policy Analyst (Trainee), I worked with a team in:
- Developing a policy dossier, profiling energy transition readiness, risks, and opportunities for 6 countries.
- Evaluating a Lithium mining contract between a government and a multinational mining company.
- Analyzing the national 2024 mid-year budget review for consistency and progress, reconciling it with the 2024 annual budget.
- The analysis of data on the collection and use of petroleum levies from the downstream petroleum sector and providing recommendations.
- Developed a grant proposal in response to a call from the Climate and Clean Air Coalition to combat ozone-depleting substances
- Screened applicants for the 2024 Africa Extractive Industries Hub Summer School, and Cohort 7 of the Next Generation Leadership Program.
- Attended the following programs:
- 2024 National Policy Forum
- 2024 West African Mining and Power Expo
- Quarterly Economic Roundtable (QER) at the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER)
- IMANI (Center for Policy and Education) – Opportunities for Accelerating Financial Investments for Ghana Energy Transition Plan
Which of your previous classes or learning experiences were most useful during the internship?
- PSAA 611 Public Policy Formation
- INTA 689 SPTP: Environment & Development
- PSAA 630 Program Evaluation in Public & Non-Profits
What were the highlights or most important learning opportunities from your internship experience?
The policy space can be political, requiring professionalism and decorum at all times. Regardless of the social issue, data can always be found to support an argument, but the quality and source of that data is paramount. Policy analysis often becomes an extension of political discourse, so it is important to approach data from institutions critically. Polarization within governments can be traced to intellectual debates originating from think tanks and academic circles. Personal beliefs, positions or opinions can be influenced or overshadowed by the stances of research or policy institutions. Positions of think-thanks do not always reflect the individual positions of researchers or analysts.
Do you have any advice for first-year Bush School students applying for internships next summer?
Send out applications as early as possible. Apply early and to as many places as possible. Delays in clearance and background checks can sometimes prevent you from taking advantage of excellent opportunities.
